Japan Unveiled

Start your journey with a private visit to teamLab Planets, a mesmerising digital art installation that plays with light, space and immersion. Wander barefoot through mirrored halls, water-filled rooms and interactive landscapes that shift around you. It’s otherworldly, poetic, surprisingly intimate and definitely “Tokyo”. Whether you’re art lovers or simply curious, this is contemporary Tokyo at its most creative.

Spend a day exploring the timeless charm of Kamakura, a coastal town steeped in samurai history and spiritual depth. Wander through moss-covered temples, visit the monumental Great Buddha, and stroll bamboo-lined paths to hillside shrines. Pause for a refined soba lunch in a traditional house surrounded by forest. With your expert guide, uncover the stories behind this former shogunate capital – a peaceful counterpoint to Tokyo’s intensity and a beautifully slow, reflective window into Japan’s past.

Traveling on the Japanese bullet train is an exhilarating experience, blending speed and comfort seamlessly. Whisking through the picturesque landscapes at speeds over 300 km/h, passengers are treated to efficient service and impeccable punctuality. The smooth ride, futuristic design, and bento box delicacies make it an unforgettable journey through Japan’s vibrant scenery.

Venture into the forests of the Japanese Alps to visit Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild Japanese macaques famously bathe in natural hot springs. A peaceful walk through the woods brings you to steaming pools surrounded by snow, an almost surreal setting that feels lifted from folklore. Watching these creatures relax in the warm water, unfazed by human presence, is quietly captivating. It’s an unforgettable moment of connection with nature in one of Japan’s most atmospheric landscapes, especially in the winter snow.

In the heart of Takayama’s old town, your stay at a traditional ryokan offers a peaceful window into Japan’s slower rhythms. Sleep on futons laid over tatami mats, soak in a private onsen, and dine on seasonal kaiseki cuisine served in-room. It’s a deeply atmospheric experience; refined, quiet and entirely rooted in place, where hospitality is expressed through simplicity, ceremony and meticulous attention to detail.

Exploring Kyoto offers a tapestry of cultural wonders. Led by your guide, wander through historic temples like Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Get lost in the charming streets of Gion, spotting geisha. Experience a traditional tea ceremony or try on kimono. You won’t want to miss the tranquil Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or the lively Nishiki Market for culinary delights.

With so much to see and do in Kyoto, we have included plenty of time so perhaps you can visit a local sword maker, have a samurai lesson, take a cooking lesson (learning to make local sweets) or make some pottery to take home with you.

You’ll marvel at the colossal bronze Buddha, Japan’s largest, housed in Todai-ji temple. Stroll through Nara-koen Park, where friendly deer eagerly await treats. Explore Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a relic of Nara’s capital era. Don’t miss Isui-en Strolling Gardens, a tranquil haven of plum, cherry, and maple trees. Conclude your day with a visit to the visually stunning Fushimi Inari Shrine, famed for its tunnels of red torii gates.

The events that unfolded in 1945 in Hiroshima are a lesson to us all. Your guide will take you through the events of that day starting at ground zero and walking through memorial parks to the Genbaku Dome (pictured), the ruins of the former Industrial Promotion Hall of Hiroshima and one of the very few World Heritage Sites that remind us of the negative effects of war.

Naoshima is more than an island; it’s a living gallery. Stay in one of the art-filled suites at Benesse House, where the boundary between museum and hotel disappears. Wake up to sea views framed by contemporary sculpture, and explore world-class installations scattered across beaches, forests and galleries. With its stillness, architecture and avant-garde spirit, Naoshima offers a rare kind of cultural retreat, contemplative, surprising and quietly transformative.

Hakone offers a restorative pause in your journey, a place of hot springs, forested hills and wide lake views. Cruise across Lake Ashi beneath the gaze of Mount Fuji, visit open-air art museums and wander quiet temple paths. In the evening, soak in a private onsen and enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner, a ritual of flavour, seasonality and understated elegance unique to Japan.

Discover a different side of Japan in Sapporo, the vibrant capital of Hokkaido. Known for its relaxed pace, wide boulevards and thriving food scene, the city offers a refreshing contrast to Honshu’s ancient capitals. Explore local markets, sample award-winning ramen or craft beer, and stroll through leafy parks and striking modern architecture. With its blend of nature, culture and culinary flair, Sapporo feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in place.

This itinerary includes a curated selection of Japan’s most memorable dining experiences, from counter seats at lively izakayas to serene, multi-course kaiseki in traditional ryokans. Highlights include sushi prepared by a fourth-generation chef, seasonal dishes served in a Kyoto townhouse, and a refined shojin ryori tasting menu at the renowned Daigo in Tokyo. Each restaurant will be handpicked for you, not just for its cuisine, but for its sense of place, where setting, service and storytelling are part of every meal.